Boulder Jewish News Arts, Culture, Events, Lifestyles, Holidays, Synagogues, Education
By Linda P. Foster, President & CEO, Jewish Family Service of Colorado
At Jewish Family Service of Colorado, we have long understood that economic hardship doesn’t always look the way we expect—and that it can affect anyone. A newly released study by Tulane University and Rosov Consulting, On the Edge: Voices of Economic Vulnerability in U.S. Jewish Communities (2024), confirms this truth on a national scale: no segment of our community is immune to financial instability.
Here in Metro Denver, we are seeing these same patterns. The rising costs of Jewish education, housing, and healthcare—combined with unexpected life events like job loss, illness, or family disruption—have created a growing population of Jewish individuals and families who are struggling to make ends meet. These challenges don’t just threaten financial stability; they impact mental health, strain relationships, and limit participation in Jewish communal life.
Nearly half of those who identified as economically vulnerable said they were unable to afford at least one basic need—whether that be food, medical care, housing, or transportation. These are essentials no one in our community should have to go without.
At JFS, we respond to this reality every day with a comprehensive, compassionate approach. Over the past year, we have provided more than $100,000 in direct cash assistance to 35 households, offered vital case management, and coordinated care for 95 more. We’ve expanded our team to meet the rising demand, ensuring that those who come through our doors receive timely, personalized, and effective support.
But we cannot do this work alone.
As a community, we share the responsibility to ensure no one feels left behind. Every contribution helps us deliver the safety net and support systems our neighbors need. I invite you to join us in building a stronger, more connected Jewish community.
This topic will be covered at the upcoming April 29-30, 2025, at the third annual convening of the Investors’ Summit at the Network of Jewish Human Service Agencies’ (The Network) annual conference, PowerNET 2025 (April 27-30) in Denver.
